MOISEKAPENDA BOWER, Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle |
April 28, 2007

He has waited patiently behind franchise icon Craig Biggio at second base, soldiered on when asked to fill a utility role after his entrenchment as a big leaguer, and willingly tackled the challenge of manning Minute Maid Park's spacious center field this season.

Considering his pedigree — he was the 10th overall selection of the 2001 amateur draft — Burke has done nothing to rock the boat.

Even after being given only 21 games to acclimate himself in center field, he masked his disappointment after receiving the news that Hunter Pence will replace him in the outfield and in the lineup.

"I'm really more disappointed with myself," Burke said following the Astros' 4-1 loss to Milwaukee on Friday night at Minute Maid Park. "I had a chance to play and didn't do well. We're not scoring runs, we're not winning, so they (Astros management) did what they felt like they had to do.

"At the end of the day, I stunk. At the end of the day, I've got only myself to blame."

Astros general manager Tim Purpura and manager Phil Garner informed Burke that he will "slot into a utility role for the near future."

Burke is batting .219 this season, and has a .255 average with 14 homers and 69 RBIs over 269 career games.

While his numbers are far from gaudy, Burke, 27, has long been considered the club's second baseman of the future, a tag that makes this latest move appear to be a step in a different direction.

"To me, it's very disappointing to have to do this," Purpura said. "As far as his development, it'll take away from his playing time certainly, but as I said to Chris, this isn't over. His career with us isn't over. We want him on this club, we want him to be a part of things, and I firmly believe he can be a very successful major league player.

"But with that said, he's had a fair amount of time in center field and playing every day. I wish he had more. It's unfortunate, but when a club struggles like we're struggling, it's the younger players, the less experienced players, that sometimes have to bear the brunt of it and lose playing time."

Pence, meanwhile, is a natural fit in center. And given his sizzling performance this spring — he led the club with a .571 average — and his scorching start at Round Rock (.341 with three homers and 19 RBIs), Pence practically forced management to provide him an opportunity.

Unfortunately for Burke, that shot comes at his expense.

"I can only do what I can do," Burke said. "I didn't do my end. Hopefully, Hunter will.

"It's tough to say where I would play because obviously we have Mark (Loretta) here. As great as he is, I'm sure he's going to get his starts. We'll see. I have no idea."